Baseball: Cannon Falls and Lake City split doubleheader

The top spot in the Hiawatha Valley League was at stake as Lake City and Cannon Falls split a doubleheader Monday in Lake City to remain tied atop the standings.

The Bombers took game one and the Tigers won game two.

Junior Paul Rolfes was the catalyst for Cannon Falls (10-4, 8-2 HVL) in game one, finishing with two doubles and three runs scored in a 6-1 victory.

Michael Growette pitched a complete game to pick up the win, using off-speed pitches behind in the count to keep Lake City (10-4, 8-2) off-balance at the plate.

“We did not adjust real well to him,” Lake City head coach Perry Iberg said. “He didn’t throw it by us but we had a lot of pop ups. We didn’t square up the ball.”

Growette, a senior, gave up four hits and three walks while striking out one.

Sophomore Reid Lundell threw 6 1/3 innings for the Tigers, allowing five runs, three earned, on five hits and two walks. He struck out four. Lundell also went 1-for-3 with a walk.

The Bombers jumped ahead of Lake City in the first inning, scoring two runs on two hits and an error but the Tigers responded with a run in the third inning scored by senior Luke Bremer.

Junior Ian Althoff got Cannon Falls going again in the fifth inning when he reached on an error by the short stop with one out. Rolfes followed with a double to deep left field, senior Trevor Sullivan bunted Althoff in and Braxton Lindow singled up the middle to bring in Rolfes and give the Bombers a 4-1 lead. Althoff and Rolfes scored again in the seventh inning on a single by Lindow to secure the victory.

Lindow finished 3-for-4 with three RBI.

“Althoff did a great job getting on base for the top of the order,” Cannon Falls head coach Bucky Lindow said. “And we had some clutch hits, mainly from Rolfes and Lindow.”

In game two, Cannon Falls again scored first but Lake City tallied two runs in the seventh inning to pull out a 6-4 win.

The Tigers coaxed seven walks out of the Bombers’ pitching staff and took advantage with six hits.

“We were a little more patient,” Iberg said. “I thought we’re a pretty decent fastball hitting team.”

Junior Dylan Simonic led Lake City, going 2-for-4 with two RBI. Junior Logan Thomas started on the mound for the Tigers, throwing six innings and allowing four runs on six hits and six walks. He struck out three and also went 1-for-3 with an RBI double. Sophomore John Brown pitched the seventh inning for the save.

Junior Noah Callister threw six innings for Cannon Falls and gave up five hits and five walks while striking out five. Dicke pitched the seventh inning, walking two and giving up one hit. Growette was 2-for-3 with an RBI triple and two runs scored to lead the Bombers.

Cannon Falls plated two runs in the second inning to take a 2-0 lead but Lake City responded with a three-run third inning to go up 3-2. The Bombers made their lone error on the day in the inning and the Tigers capitalized.

“We knew that we had to keep them from getting any crooked numbered innings,” Bucky Lindow said. “The three they got in the third really ended up being the difference in the game.”

Lake City scored again in the sixth inning and Cannon Falls responded with two runs in the next half inning to tie the game at 4-4.

The first batter of the seventh inning popped out but Dicke walked the next two batters and Simonic laced a double down the left-field line to score both runners. It was a much needed victory for the Tigers after falling in game one.

“We were happy with that, that the boys bounced back,” Iberg said. “It was a well-played game. We were fortunate enough to get the clutch hit.”

Lake City travels to face Kenyon-Wanamingo Friday and the Bombers play Triton Friday in Dodge Center.

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